Easter Island Wrasse

Thalassoma purpureum

The Easter Island wrasse (Thalassoma purpureum), also called the surge wrasse, is a robust wrasse reaching up to 43 cm. Terminal phase males are spectacularly colored with a green body, reddish stripes along the flanks, and a greenish-blue head with pink-purple markings. Found across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to Easter Island and Hawaii, it inhabits surge zones on outer reefs and reef crests at depths of 1 to 45 meters. This active predator feeds on sea urchins, crabs, and other hard-shelled invertebrates. On Easter Island, it is one of the most commonly encountered and recognizable reef fish, often seen boldly swimming through surge zones and reef flats. Its vivid coloration and energetic behavior make it a reliable photographic subject on Easter Island reef dives.